Sadio Mane optimistic about Liverpool’s Champions League prospects

Senegalese attacker Sadio Mane has said that Liverpool have tried to forget about last season’s shortcomings in the Champions League but they remain motivated to go one better during the current campaign. The Reds surprised many as they reached the final of the elite competition last term but they could not cross the final hurdle against Real Madrid after a forgettable goalkeeping performance from Loris Karius.

Thereafter, there had been a huge sense of disappointment around the club but Mane has now highlighted that they have moved on from the unwanted situation. Speaking to Goal.com, he said: “We have tried to forget about thatand we are doing our best this season to try to go to the final again—and why not win it? Of course, last season, nobody expected it from us, and maybe this year they do. But that’s not pressure.
“That’s motivation to do even better. You need that. We are on a good run, and we have started well this season. It’s too early to speak about the title, or winning trophies yet, but we can take it game by game. It’s not easy. There are so many great teams. Both the Manchester clubs, Chelsea as well. But we are Liverpool. We don’t concentrate on other teams; we are thinking about ourselves.”

The Reds are currently occupying the second position in their Champions League group with just a one-point advantage over Napoli and they require at least another four points from the remaining two matches to assure themselves of a knockout spot. Liverpool are scheduled to face Paris Saint-Germain on the road later this month before entertaining Napoli in their final group game.